V 




Class Ur\ ? 



Book. ^ 



Copyright N°_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



An Epitome of English History 

Since the Norman Conquest 
In Rhyme 

v , 



* 



George H Buchanan Company 
1905 



Souvenir Edition, 200 Copies 

No 



/GWqf 

a. 






I 



^o/ to Mee, alas! 
To the sweet memories of thy friendship. 



% 



Copyrighted 1905 
By Henry Pleasant* 



AN EPITOME IN RHYME, 

of English History Since the Norman 

Conquest. 

*• To tell of England's story 

In words that catch the ears ; 
Epitomizing briefly 
Events of many years : 

*• From Normandy's great conquest 
Until the present time, 
Declares the modest object 
Of this succeeding rhyme. 

3- If this impress the outline 

Of England's great career, 
That so, in fuller detail, 
Its study be less drear : 

4- Fulfilled then is the object 

For which the work is done, 
And pleasure, if not glory, 
At least is fairly won. 



1066-1087. 5- First came the Norman William, 
The Conqueror by name, 

Oct. 14, 1066. For Senlac hill at Hastings 
Saw Saxon Harold slain. 



6 - He introduced the system 

Of ancient feudal lords, 
Creating English tenures 
As if men were his wards. 

7- He built enormous castles 

Throughout the land he won, 

And filled them with his soldiers, 

To keep the conquered down. 

8. Yet he enforced stern justice 
With aid of Norman laws, 
And proved himself a statesman 
In spite of many wars. 

i 087-1100. 9. Then came his third son, William, 
Whom people called "The Red;" 
A hunter more than statesman, 
A vicious life he led. 

uoo-1135. 10. Th e Conqu'ror's son, named Henry, 
Came next to rule the land : 
And ruled it like his father, 
With strong and mighty hand. 

11. He granted many charters 

Securing people rights, 
And chose his queen from England, 
To aid him in his fights. 

12. And when the Norman nobles 

Were met by Henry's men, 
Sept. 28, 1 106. The victory of Tenchebrai 

Gave England heart again. 
4 



II35-H54- i3- His nephew, Stephen, followed, 
By whom the land was curs'd ; 

1154-1189. And then a second Henry, 

The grandson of the first. 

*4- He first established Juries, 

And made the people heard 
When they were treated harshly 
At haughty baron's word. 

1 5- 'Twas in this reign, at Oxford, 

The earliest steps were made 
To found that mighty college, 
Where Truth is ne'er afraid. 

16 - Yet Henry caused the murder 

Dec. 29, 1 170. ° f Becket of renown, 

Within the grand cathedral 
At Canterbury town. 

1189-1199. 17. Next Lion-hearted Richard, 

Who fought the third crusade, 
And proved his mighty valor 
For those who needed aid. 

1199-1216. 18. And after Coeur de Lion, 
His evil brother John, 
Who signed the Magna Charta 
June 15, 1215. As barons drove him on. 

19. This proved the famous bulwark 
Of English people's might, 
Creating limitations 

On every sovereign's right. 
5 



1216-1272. 20. King Henry third succeeded, 

On whom the barons warred, 

May 24, 1264. Led on by Simon Montfort, 
A great and mighty lord. 

1272-1307. 21. The first of all the Edwards 

Then conquered Welsh and Scots 

1296. He carried off the sacred stone, 

And re-arranged the courts: 

22. A Parliament he summoned 
With Commoners alive ; 
And paid the members sitting 
1295- In twelve and ninety-five. 

1307-1327. 23. His son's, was second Edward's 
Humiliating term, 
Who lost the hold on Scotland 
June 24, 13 14. At famous Bannockburn. 

*3 2 7- I 377- 2 4- But Edward third won vict'ries 
O'er Scotland and in France; 

Aug. 26, 1346. He fought the famous Crecy, 
With powder for a lance : 

Aug. 4, 1347. 25. He took the city Calais, 

Sept. 19, 1356. And won at Poictiers, too : 

1340-1400. With this time, both great Chaucer 

1325-1384. And Wycliffe had to do. 

I 377- I 399- 2 6. His grandson, second Richard, 
Tried then to rule a time ; 
But people made him prisoner 
Sept. 29, 1399. In thirteen ninety-nine. 

6 



1330-1376. V- He was the son of Edward, 

The "Black Prince" known to fame: 
Whose mighty deeds of valor 
Immortalized his name. 

* Now, too, were great uprisings 
Of Wat the Tyler's men, 
Proclaiming all men equal 
J 38i. In thirteen eighty-one. 

1399-1413- 29. xhen Henry fourth succeeded 
At Parliament's command, 

1407. And Commons won the power 

To tax throughout the land. 

3°- But he suppressed the Lollards, 
An act unjustly done, 
And caused their persecution 
I 4° 1 - In fourteen hundred one. 

1413-1422. 31. The fifth one of the Henrys 
Was too a mighty king ; 

Oct. 25, 1415. At Agincourt he proved it, 

And made the nation ring. 

32. He gave up to the Commons 
The right, kings exercised, 
I 4 I 4- To change the bills brought to them, 

To have them supervised. 

1 422- 1 46 1. 33. But Henry sixth was feeble, 

And Joan, the Maid of Arc, 

I 4 2 9~ I 43 I - Gained many famous vict'ries, 

And made a wondrous mark. 

7 



1461-1483. 34- King Edward fourth succeeded, 
1455-1485. With "Roses' wars" astir 

Between the rival houses 
Of York and Lancaster. 

35- 'Twas now, amid the contests, 
1476. The printing press appeared, 

And won more lasting power 
Than knight or monarch feared. 

1483. 36. Then Edward fifth preceded 

1483-1485. His uncle Richard third, 

Who caused him to be murdered, 
And all the nation stirred. 

37- But on the field of Bosworth 
Aug. 22, 1485. Avengers were alive ; 
1485-1509. And seventh Henry followed 

In fourteen eighty-five. 

3 8 - Thus closed mediaeval hist'ry, 

And rival claims unite 

To make the people mighty 

And loyal to the right. 

39- And now the Middle classes, 

Developing at length, 
Vied with the haughty nobles 
In showing forth their strength ; 

40- And when the first of Tudors 
April 21, 1509. Was laid to rest in peace, 

Within his splendid chapel 
Whose glories never cease, 

• ' . 8 



1509-1547- 4i. His son, the eighth of Henrys, 
Began th' eventful years 
Which severed Popes from England, 
Despite the people's fears. 

4 2 - He first encouraged Wolsey, 
I 5 I S- I 5 2 9- The cardinal from the Pope; 

1 530- 1 540- And then, through Thomas Cromwell 

On whom was built great hope, 

I 53 6 " I 539- 43- Suppressed all monasteries 

Throughout the entire land, 
And made the Church of England 
Dependent on his hand. 

1547-1553. 44. The sixth of Edwards followed, 
And Protestants grew strong, 

1 548- 1552- Establishing a prayer book 

With liturgy and song. 

45- Although a youthful sovereign 
And full of bigot zeal, 
He tried to do his duty 

And sought the people's weal. 

46. He favored education 

Among the Middle class, 
And founded schools in London 
Intended for the mass. 

47- Then on the death of Edward, 
I 553- I 558- Came Mary, linked with Spain, 

To force her alien doctrines 
And carry out the same. 
9 



48. Yet, though the blood of martyrs 
Flowed freely through the land, 
The Protestants stood bravely, 
Despite the Queen's command ; 

Nov.17,1558.49. And when the death of Mary 
1558-1603. Relieved the people's fears, 

Elizabeth, her sister, 

Began her glorious years. 

1588. 50. c^e crus hed Spain's great Armada, 

She smiled at all her foes, 
She held the nation steady 
From all religious woes. 

5 1 - Though she was vain and selfish 

And cruel and untrue, 
Almighty God controlled her 
With his great ends in view. 

5 2 - With her, the English Navy 

Grew "Mistress of the Seas," 
And spread her mighty power 
Wherever she might please. 

53- In this reign, too, were granted 
Dec. 31, 1599. Those chartered Indian rights, 

Whence grew a mighty nation, 
Though after many fights. 

54- Nor was Old England's progress 

In Art and Letters less, 
Till world-wide was the influence 
Of the great and proud Queen Bess. 
10 



1564-1623. 55- 'Twas then the mighty Shakespeare 
Produced his glorious plays ; 
And Spenser, Bacon, Raleigh, 
Were famous in their ways. 

56. King James the first then followed: 
1603-1625. With him the Scottish crown 

United with the English — 
United for renown. 

57. He was the first of Stuarts, 

A wise and learned fool ; 
161 1. But gave to us our Bible, 

Our blest and sacred rule. 

58. Then Charles the first succeeded : 
1 625- 1 649. A sad and troubled term 

Of contests with the Commons, 
Who held their privilege firm. 

59. He sought to raise the monarch 

Above the people's right, 
And Commoners opposed him 
With sturdy sullen might. 

60. Now came the time of Hampden, 

Of Pym and Cromwell too: 
When Independents grasped at 
The Church of England's due. 

61. Then mortal contests followed, 
Jan. 30, 1649. ^nd Charles soon lost his head : 

Becoming "Charles the Martyr," 
To those whose cause he led. 
11 



1649-1660. 62. a Commonwealth then followed, 
And Cromwell rose to fame : 

1653-1658. Known as "The Lord Protector," 

A king, save in the name. 

6 3- Although a stern usurper, 

He sought the people's good, 
And let them hold such powers 
As he thought best they should. 

1660-1685. 64. Him, second Charles succeeded : 
The "Merry Monarch" called; 

1 665- 1 666. Though plague and fire ravaged 

And all the land appalled. 

1679. 65. The law of "Habeas corpus" 

Was in this reign defined ; 
And Whigs or Tories flourished 
As people felt inclined. 

66. And he, the English sovereign 
1 670- 1 678. Through whom the king of France 

Controlled important treaties, 
To make his power advance. 

6 7- Charles' brother James soon followed : 
1 685- 1 688. A foolish, headstrong king, 

An artful, tactless bigot, 

Whence all his troubles spring. 

68. He sought by "dispensation," 
To disregard the law; 
1673. And set aside the "test act" 

Passed in the reign before. 
12 



*9- The people, apprehensive 

Lest Rome should rule at last, 
June 30, 1688. Asked William, Prince of Orange, 
To undertake the task ; 

7°- And with his good wife, Mary, 
A daughter of the king, 
As Protestants to govern 
In each and every thing. 

7 1 - He was the one selected 

Their rights to vindicate, 

Because defending Holland 

From its impending fate : 

7 2 - When France, the Romish nation, 

'Gainst Protestants did strive; 
And Huguenots were murdered 
l68 S- In sixteen eighty-five. 

73- And, since he was the husband 

Of James' eldest child, 
'Twas thought this strange succession 
Could be more reconciled. 

74- Prince William, too, was willing 

The task to undertake, 
And thus as his great ally 
The English people make. 

75- But when King James came forward 

To try defend his throne, 
His soldiers all deserted 
And left the king alone. 
13 



r& In silence arid in terror. 
Dec. ;: ioSS. King James then stole away 

To ask the aid of Louis 
In the impending fray. 

1689-1694. 77. King William tlien and Mary. 

The Silent and the Good. 
April 11. 16S9. Assumed the royal sceptre 

As they had said they would ; 

l68 9- "* And Parliament assembling. 

Declared it should be law. 
That Romish kings should never 
Rule as they did before: 

1604. 79. That on the death of Mary. 

1 694- 1 - m The ^ng should rule alon e : 

And Anne, her sister, follow. 
1702-1714- Whose virtues soon were known. 

80. This, was the Revolution 

1688. Of sixteen eighty -eight : 
Without a drop of bloodshed 

It made the people great. 

81. It crushed for aye the folly 

Of rights divine of kings ; 
Establishing forever 

The rights whence Freedom springs. 

8*- And now. with the new sovereigns. 
Were passed some worthy laws ; 

1689. One. granted toleration 

To most sects showing cause. 
14 



1696. 83. Another gave new coinage, 

And coins debased recalled ; 
This proved the best for people, 
Though many were appalled. 

1692. 84. 'Twas now, to raise the money 

To wage the foreign wars, 
The great debt of the nation 
Had its initial cause. 

1694. 85. And soon the Bank of England 

Was formed to undertake 
Finances of the nation, 
In great affairs of state. 

1 701. 86. Now, too, the terms of judges 

Were made to last for life, 
And Justice elevated 

Above a sovereign's strife. 

1693. 87. And now, the king selected 

His ministers alone 
Within the side triumphant, 
As nearest to the throne. 

88. The rest of England's story 

Is much too long for rhyme : 
1702-1713. To tell of Marlb'ro's vict'ries : 

1714-1830. Of all four Georges' time: 

89- How was the peace of Europe 
Preserved by bloody wars : 
May 1, 1707. The final act of union, 

Cementing Scottish shores: 
15 



9* oHe's Canadian trimnph 

: : " - : : In sev'nteen fifty-nine : 

•'- - : " : -.-;/. 5 Lr.iec-er.ier.ee: 

: ' : * :S: : X.icc'.evr's tiietecr shine: 

I7< *~2* 9I ° f wmiam R:: :he desman, 

~.d William Pitt, his son: 
5. v- Of great reform bill awt r sls , 

:S& ^ "/."here Ri^h: his .vhv.v.s w;r. : 

~ :.;• 'r ■ ;.s the r.;.r.;r. ctirchasc i 
All slaves throughout die land, 
Jmg. 31. 1854. And set them free forever 

3; 7.; :.'. ::...r.i.i:e s ::.:: i : 

93- How chartered rights in India, 
Developing with Cfive, 

SfS ?r;-iucei 2 rr.i gritty err.rire 

"•"hence other nations thrive : 

1830-1837. 94. H : vrilliam fourth succeeded 

His rrcther decree :he .is: : 
i ::ie:e Victoria 
j-^.t .-: :S:- 7;.e crown at lengr is cast 

:»-- ;: ■■; she became the Err.rcess 

i : IriiiVs c:r.-i strand : 
And longer than all s ove r e igns 
: s :--:;•: : She rtiled throughout th e 1 1 1 1 i 

96. And last, came Albert Edward, 
The old Queen's eldest son, 
I :: whom the crown iescended 
Jan. 22, 1901. In nineteen hundred one. 



16 



97- All these events important, 
So briefly touched on here, 
Attest the influence mighty — 
Extensive with the sphere — 

98. Which England has exerted 
To aid the cause of Right ; 
And show God's gracious guidance 
In giving her such might. 

99- Then whether coming centuries 
Shall show her march alone, 
Or with her English brothers 
Within the western zone, 

100. May God's almighty guidance 
Go with her in her course, 
And may she e'er acknowledge 
Her strength that mighty source. 



FINIS. 



17 



t 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 670 011 7 




